Wiscombe Park Hillclimb 10 and 11 May 2025
Tony Quinn
The 500 Owners Association hold their annual hillclimb at this delightful Devon venue in
early May where they have a class for Morgans under ACU regs. Morgan owners with
MS(UK) licences can enter the event in the VSCC eligible vehicle class, so we get good
representation at this friendly meeting.
The VSCC’s event is held the following day which gives those with MS(UK) licences a full
weekend of hillclimbing.
Sat 10 May – More by Luck than Judgement
The NHCA bike hillclimbers’ tradition is that the first competitor to have a mishap writes the
report. Not a bad idea. I qualified when the Super Sports came to a spluttering halt
halfway up the first straight. Luckily the cause was a loose ignition cam – bad preparation – and easily re-tightened in a lay-by near the start line. Second practice was better, but
there was still an erratic misfire and the lunch break and part of the early afternoon was
spent in hot sunshine testing and replacing contact breakers etc.
Meanwhile Tim and Alison Giddens were having trouble-free practice runs in their Super
Aero. Not so happy was Alistair Rew whose methanol powered JTOR Aero was
hiccuping. New to the Morgan scene and first time at Wiscombe was Phil Yarnall in his
immaculate pearl grey 5-speeder passengered by enthusiastic friend Eugene.
.
We had one addition in the ACU class. Tom Golland in the ex-Robin Rew Sports
transferred across when his cutaway steering wheel was politely rejected by the MS(UK)
scrutineer. Many thanks to the NHCA secretary Sara Dewell who signed him on. Thanks
too to the person who loaned an ACU-approved helmet.
Morgan folk were also competing in other vehicles: Chas Reynolds’ Keift 500cc, Hamish
Cameron-Everleigh’s Cooper Mk8 JAP 500cc and Ruth Ross’s Cooper V twin JAP
supported by Steve Lister.
The weather was lovely and so was the ice cream. With Alistair unable to resolve his
engine issues and Phil being new to Wiscombe, I had a lucky ACU class win, but was
thoroughly put to shame by Sue Darbyshire in the VSCC car class.
Morgan results
Sue Darbyshire, Super Aero JTOR – 51.57
Tony Quinn & ballast, Super Sports MX2 – 58.06
Alistair Rew/Jenny Baker – Aero JTOR – 60.77
Phil Yarnall – 5-speeder S&S – 60.81
Tom Golland – Sport LTOWZ – 64.67
Tim/Alison Giddens – Super Aero JTOR – 66.28
Sun 11 May – Morgans Sweep the Board (almost)
Overnight Tom Golland’s steering wheel was made MS(UK)-compliant by George
Darbyshire, but the issue affecting Alistair Rew’s Aero proved to be insoluble.
I didn’t stay for the VSCC event, but skipped through the recorded feed on YouTube. Fin
Cameron joined the fray in the 8/80 JAP engined ‘Chicken’ and took an outstanding class
win in tricky damp conditions.
Morgan results
Fin Cameron – 51.33 – 1st in Class 13 racing cars 751-1100cc
Sue Darbyshire – 52.88 – 2nd in Class 3 standard and modified sports cars 1101-1500cc
Alistair Rew – 63.22 – Class 14 racing cars 1101-1500cc
Tom Golland – 64.44 – Class 8 special sports cars 751-1100cc
Morgan crews relaxing in Devon sunshine – Sat 10 May
Alisair Rew and Jenny Baker – Sat 10 May
Phil Yarnall and Eugene leave the start line – Sat 10 May
